Operations Manager – Meat Manufacturing

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead operations at an established food manufacturing facility in Reidsville, North Carolina and Cherokee, IA. The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership experience within food manufacturing, with a focus on Ready-to-Eat (RTE) and/or further-processing operations.

This role will be responsible for driving safe, efficient, and compliant plant operations while leading teams, improving productivity, and supporting overall manufacturing performance.

Location: Reidsville, NC and Cherokee, IA

Bonus: Discretionary bonus; not guaranteed

Relocation: Open to relocation; relocation package details to be confirmed

Industry: Meat Manufacturing / Further Processing

Location: The facility is located in Reidsville, North Carolina and Cherokee, IA with the search also targeting qualified Operations and Plant leaders within the Research Triangle and broader Southeast region.

Relocation

• Discretionary bonus may be available but is not guaranteed.

• Relocation candidates are welcome.

• Relocation package details are currently being finalized.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a seasoned food manufacturing operations leader who can effectively manage people and production while maintaining high standards for food safety, quality, regulatory compliance, productivity, and operational performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day manufacturing and plant operations to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable production.

• Provide leadership and direction to production and operations teams across multiple shifts.

• Drive operational performance, productivity, quality, safety, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Partner with Quality, Food Safety, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and other departments to achieve plant objectives.

• Ensure compliance with USDA/FSIS, HACCP, food safety, and regulatory requirements.

• Maintain strong food safety and sanitation standards, including appropriate environmental monitoring practices.

• Develop, coach, and manage plant leadership and production teams.

• Monitor key operational metrics and implement corrective actions to improve performance.

• Identify opportunities to reduce waste, improve throughput, control costs, and increase operational efficiency.

• Establish and maintain effective operating procedures, processes, and performance standards.

• Support workforce planning, staffing, training, and employee development.

• Collaborate with senior leadership on operational strategy, plant performance, and improvement initiatives.

• Maintain a strong culture of accountability, safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience in meat food manufacturing, food processing, or a related manufacturing environment.

• Strong experience leading plant or operations teams in a high-volume production environment.

• Experience with RTE and/or further-processing operations strongly preferred.

• Strong understanding of USDA/FSIS and food safety requirements.

• Working knowledge of HACCP and food safety programs.

• Proven ability to lead teams, develop managers/supervisors, and drive operational accountability.

• Demonstrated experience improving manufacturing performance, productivity, quality, and efficiency.

• Strong problem-solving, communication, and decision-making skills.

• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and senior leadership.

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Meat Science, Operations, Business, Engineering, or a related field preferred.

Preferred Background

• Experience in Ready-to-Eat (RTE), further-processing, or USDA-inspected food manufacturing facilities.

• Experience with environmental monitoring and Listeria prevention/control programs.

• Experience working directly with USDA/FSIS requirements and inspections.

• Experience leading multi-shift manufacturing operations.

• Candidates with experience in both slaughter and significant RTE/further-processing operations may be considered.

• Strong background in continuous improvement and lean manufacturing practices.